Raptors erase double-digit deficit vs. Nets

(The Sports Xchange) - For the 12th time this season, the Toronto Raptors erased a double-digit deficit to earn a victory, battling back from 16 points down on Tuesday night to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 104-99.

It's not the way Raptors coach Dwane Casey wants his team playing basketball and he made his club aware at halftime when Toronto trailed 58-42.

"I really think these are dog days for a lot of teams in the league right now. Having to crack the whip, whatever it is. Our guys know they didn't play well in the first half," Casey said. "It shouldn't take me going in at half time, jumping up and down and challenging them (saying) 'Who do we want to be?'

"We came out in the second half and that's who we have to be, but we've got to start that in the beginning of the game."

DeMar DeRozan led the way with 25 points while Kyle Lowry added 23 points and nine assists.

Terrence Ross added 11 points and six rebounds off the bench while Patrick Patterson chipped win with 11 points.

"It was a good one, it was one we definitely needed and the way we came out in the second half definitely speaks volumes about how he came in and really got on us," said DeRozan of Casey's halftime message. "We responded like we were supposed to.

"Just telling everybody we've got to pick it up. Calm down, stay positive and understand we're going to get back in this game, but we're not going to do it, if we don't put defense in the game."

With the win, Toronto (42-20) has now won three straight against Brooklyn this season and avoided a second consecutive home loss -- something they haven't done since December.
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